Making a living from waste
'I am passionate about what I do and I believe in making a difference in my community'
A resident who makes a living from waste has won a Dedication to Recycling award at REDISA’s (Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa)) inaugural Recognition Award ceremony.
Kenny Matsukutsa is the owner of Canrot Traders, a small business that collects and recycles waste tyres. Matskukutsa started Canrot Traders in 2007 at his home in Kempton Park after identifying a gap in his community with regards to waste tyre management.
The business has helped clean up the environment and create job opportunities for the youth in the area.
After hearing about the REDISA Plan, Matsukutsa registered with REDISA and is one of the waste tyre transporters who won the Dedication to Recycling award. The company received the award for having made a significant contribution to the promotion of and the realisation of a sustainable recycling business; bringing to life the REDISA waste into worth concept.
“I am passionate about what I do and I believe in making a difference in my community. My family has survived through turning waste into worth and I want to teach and show others they can also reap rewards from waste,” says Matsukutsa.
SMMEs like Canrot Traders are key drivers of the South African economy and advocates like Matsukutsa are progressively changing the country’s mindset around waste.
“We are proud of the impact the initiative has made to the many people both employed by REDISA and supported in terms of secondary industry,” REDISA director, Stacey Davidson, said.
In the coming months REDISA will continue to meet and converse with entrepreneurs to discuss solutions to the many challenges being faced in terms of developing these new small business owners.
REDISA aims to create a steady balance between government requirements, environmental sustainability and industry ambition through its waste management system by contributing to the economy and creating jobs in the process.
